Options for Start-Up Funding

If you’re an inventor or entrepreneur looking to start your own manufacturing business, you’ll need capital for your venture.

Understanding your funding options sooner than later is important so you’re prepared and well-positioned when it’s time to launch or expand.

In the years that I’ve spent in the consumer products industry, I’ve experienced working with companies that were looking for start-up funding in a variety of ways including bootstrapping, bank and personal loans, and seed and start-up capital from angel investors and VC (venture capital) firms.

Now that I started my consulting & management business, working mostly with inventors and entrepreneurs, one of the challenges that remain constant…whether it’s a hobby turning into a start-up business or it’s a full-fledged business already at retail looking to expand…is finding the financial means and resources to properly launch or sustain a business enterprise.

Below is a great article that I found at www.go4funding.com that explains what funding options you have when looking to finance your business.

I hope you find it valuable.

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Young companies often face the daunting task of finding an adequate amount of capital during its early stages of development. There are many types of funding options available to business owners, including personal financing and loans from banks, the government, family and friends. In addition, there is angel and venture capital and state and federal grants to choose from. While there are different funding sources available, it is important for entrepreneurs to weigh all of their options in order to find the right type of financing for their new company.

Bootstrapping
This term refers to a company owner who decides to solely fund their business on their own without depending on outside sources for financial support. In this type of funding, the entrepreneur often evaluates all of his/her assets, including personal savings accounts, credit cards, equity in real estate, retirement accounts, vehicles, recreational equipment, and even collectables. By assessing their personal assets, a business owner can easily generate cash if they decide to sell their property. They can also use these possessions as collateral for a future loan. The more money that an entrepreneur uses on their own for their business, the more likely they will acquire capital from other sources when they need it in the future.

Pros- When business owners decide to bootstrap their business, they are able to gain complete independence of their company and avoid having a diluted role when investors, directors, etc. are introduced.

Cons- Unless the business owner is rich, they will have much financial constraint when using their own finances. Their company may be underfunded, they may underestimate business costs, and/or do not have the resources and support (financial advisors, mentors) that the business needs to successfully take off. Bootstrapping entrepreneurs also have the tendency not to write a business plan, which increases their chance of failure since the business is less likely to be researched, analyzed, or have outside feedback. In addition, many people use credit cards to fund the costs of their start-ups. Even though this is a quick and easy way to obtain the money that is needed, they end up spending large amounts on the credit card interest payments.

Friends, Family, Business Associates
When self-financing is not enough to provide the needed capital for a start-up, business owners usually turn to their families, relatives, friends, and business partners for further financial support. These people tend to provide much needed support to the entrepreneur and enjoy the excitement and success of the new venture.

Pros- Loans from family, friends, and partners can be obtained quickly since they share with the entrepreneur a relationship that is based on a more personal level. Business owners have the benefit of not paying back interest or providing a monthly payment as bank loans require.

Cons- One downside of borrowing money from friends, family members, and associates is the fact that the entrepreneur may give up more ownership of their company. The more partners involved, the more profit will be divided among all members. Friends and relatives who provide business loans sometimes feel that they have the right to offer suggestions concerning the management of the business. Their suggestions may sometimes be contrary to the entrepreneur’s strategy and may even strain personal relationships. Entrepreneurs should repay the loans as quickly as possible in order to avoid interpersonal conflicts among family members and friends.

Government Funding
While the Small Business Administration (SBA) does not lend money to businesses, they act as a guarantor through a network of local lending partners to help promote the startup, growth, and success of small businesses in the United States.

The 7 (a) loan program allows the borrower to apply for a loan from a lending institution of their choice. This loan is based on their current business status, credit history, and collateral.

Microloans are a type of small business loan that cannot exceed $35,000. The microloan is available through local non-profit intermediaries.

Pros- SBA loans provide a good way to and promote a better interaction between local lenders and borrowers. These loans will also increase the chances of an entrepreneur to get a bank loan.

Cons- The guidelines are strict and the network of lending partners may reject applicants based on income, assets, type of business, past experience, etc.

Commercial Bank Lending
Unlike SBA loans, commercial bank loans are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. Obtaining a bank loan may be difficult since banks use different many criteria when lending money, including the amount and purpose of the loan, company data (management and operations), the primary and secondary sources of repayment, financial statistics (balance sheets, cash-flow statements), credit history, etc. First-time entrepreneurs may face several rejections from different banks before being approved. There are three different types of financing options available to entrepreneurs so that they can fund their start-ups.

Term loans (aka conventional loans) are loans that are typically used to purchase equipment, buy a new building, acquire another company, or otherwise expand operations as the business grows. Business owners have the option to choose between fixed-rate or adjustable rate loans that have terms of up to 10 years based on amortizations of up to 20 years. Depending on an individual’s personal qualifications, they can borrow up to $250,000.

Revolving lines of credit is a line of credit that is granted to a business by a bank that is payable over the course of one year. This amount can be anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. The entrepreneur can use the credit when needed and will be charged based upon what is used. In addition, the borrower’s residential or commercial real estate serves as collateral.

Intermediate term debt is a type of short-term loan that are usually 60 months or less in duration and secured by collateral.

Pros- Commercial banks can offer business owners adequate amounts of needed money and lines of credit quickly. They are much easier to obtain when they are backed by assets.

Cons- There is always a chance of rejection when applying for any of these loans, especially if the business owners have poor credit history, little income, and no assets. The entrepreneur should also be honest and report their company’s progress to their banks or if they received capital from other sources. The business owner will also owe the borrowed money whether their business succeeds or not.

Commercial Finance Companies
There are non-bank commercial lenders (aka commercial finance companies) that can also offer money to business owners. Unlike banks, they are willing to look beyond one’s credit history and assets in order to provide the needed capital for start-ups. Commercial finance companies have emerged in recent years and give opportunities to companies that banks will not lend money to.

Pros- Non-bank commercial lenders look beyond financial history and possession of assets and will lend money to companies who have been turned down by banks.

Cons- These lenders often require a business plan, personal financial statements, cash-flow predictions, and the borrower to provide 20-25% of the needed capital themselves.

Personal Loans
Another good way to obtain needed capital is by getting a personal loan rather than a loan under the business name. There are two common types- a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit.

Home equity loans provide a valuable source of funding for start-ups. The entrepreneur’s home is the collateral and the borrower is locked into a fixed term for five to thirty years.

Home equity line of credit is a line of credit that is granted to the borrower. Their home is the collateral and they only pay interest on the amount used.

Pros- Both types of loans are widely available through many financial institutions. The business owners’ home is the collateral and interest is tax deductible.

Cons- One disadvantage for home equity loans is that they are comparable to an additional mortgage on your home; if the borrower cannot make repay the amount, their home may be at risk for foreclosure. These loans are also risky in the sense that if the business fails and the entrepreneur is not able to make payments, their home will be at risk. In addition, if a borrower’s house value drops, they may end up owing more on their property than it’s worth, especially if they plan to sell their home in the near future.

Personal Installment Loans
This type of loan is an unsecured installment loan that does not require any collateral for approval. It can be used in combination with other types or sources of capital-generating practices. These loans are required to be repaid within five years since it provides only a modest amount of money to the borrower.

Pros- This type of loan is easier to obtain than a standard small business loan with a fixed interest. Since the product is unsecured, it is ideal for business owners who are homeowners, or who have a one-time borrowing need.

Cons- A disadvantage is that these loans have high interest rates, limited borrowing availability, and a non-deductible interest.

Insurance Policy Loans
A policy loan is a loan that is issued by an insurance company to an individual that uses the cash value of a person’s life insurance policy as collateral. The individual can borrow up to 80% of the surrender value of his/her life insurance policy.

Pros- There is flexible repayment options where the borrower can repay the loan in whole or in part at anytime.

Cons- Traditionally, these were loans issued at very low interest rates; however, this is no longer true. In addition, if the borrower (the entrepreneur) fails to repay the loan, the money is automatically withdrawn from the insurance death benefit.

Angel FinancingAngel investors are wealthy individuals who like to invest in small start-up enterprises. When they invest their money into a business, it is not considered a loan. Instead, they desire an agreeable percentage of stock or share in a company for their own financial gain.

Pros- Most angels have experience in the industry of their investment and most likely have been successful business owners themselves. They can act as effective, obliging advisors and mentors to entrepreneurs on how to make their business thrive. In addition, they offer a large sum of money that may not be available from other sources.

Cons- Angels often require a percentage of stock or shares in their invested companies. This means that entrepreneurs may have to give up some control of their businesses.

Venture Capitalist Financing
Venture capitalists usually prefer to invest in companies that are in their later stages of development. They typically invest anywhere from $500,000 to more than $5 million. Like angel funding, venture capital dollars are invested in exchange for equity (an ownership share) in a company. VCs obtain their money out only when the business is acquired by another company or “goes public,” that is, when its company shares become publicly traded on a stock exchange.

Pros- Venture capital can help business owners expand their companies and obtain market share.

Cons- By obtaining venture capital, the business owner will no longer be the sole owner of your company and may lose control. Moreover, a VC may move their invested company towards an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of publicly traded shares faster than might be best for the long-term health of the business.

State and Federal Grants
Federal funds can be granted to start-ups, especially if they are minority-related or defense-related non-profit organizations. On a state level, a company seeking grants to fund their business is encouraged to enroll in an Individual Development Account (IDA) that requires classroom participation and training on financial management and budgeting. The program is run with a “matched” savings program in which participants make monthly savings deposits to an account. For every dollar that is saved, the participant received at least a dollar added in their account that can be used towards their business.

Pros- State and federal governments may offer tax benefits to companies that hire minorities or disadvantaged individuals. The IDA matched savings account can serve as an invaluable financial management training that enables low-income American families to save, build assets, and enter the financial mainstream for their businesses. The money also does not need to be paid back.

Cons- Both state and federal grants provide very limited opportunities and are available only in small amounts. This type of funding cannot be relied upon to fund a start-up company. In addition, the process to obtain state or federal grants may take months.

As far as how you’ll spend your seed or start-up funds…

Most likely you’ll start by spending money on market research, producing your prototype or sample product, paying for patenting or copyrighting fees and other administrative-type costs needed to start a business.

Then, you may want to hire consultants or experts to assist you with your plans and possibly some key personnel to join your team.

Next, most of your money will be used to produce your product.

And finally, more money will be needed to increase your productivity, market your product and finance the growth of your business.

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Karla Ilarde is The Product Launch Partner. Through her consulting and mentoring business, Karla guides and supports inventors, entrepreneurs and manufacturing business owners how to become prepared and well-positioned for retail success using proven manufacturing, marketing and sales strategies and solutions. To get your F.R.E.E. Product Launch Success Kit and receive her bi-monthly articles, where you’ll get insights and information on how to launch, market & grow profitable products with confidence and success, sign up on this page right now and get these valuable tools delivered to your inbox instantly!